​One of the things that bothers me the most about election time is the loss of reason and responsibility by both politicians and much of the media that seems to be considered acceptable collateral damage.

​I am guessing Glen Lazarus took too many head knocks playing rugby. That has to be it. Even allowing for the fact that it is election time and he can’t rely on Clive Palmer to bankroll his campaign, his recent foray was stunning.

​Given that I have a fairly large appetite and eat nearly twice as much as most people I know, being able to pay less for my groceries has a certain appeal to it. But not when there is a long term cost.

​There are just too many claims of abuse, violence and even torture by unregulated guards and locals against detainees in both Manus Island and Nauru. It isn't just unsubstantiated claims but photos, videos and testimony of former workers- and they paint a damning picture of what is being done in Australia’s name and tarnishing our international reputation.

I could never be accused of being an admirer of Bernard Tomic. As much as they are looked up to by younger aspirants, I don’t actually hold professional athletes to higher standards of behaviour, but that doesn’t mean I excuse poor behaviour. And some of Tomic’s on and off-field behaviour has been quite distasteful over a number of years.After writing that, I might have been expected to jump into him with enthusiasm after his recent decision to skip the Rio Olympics citing a busy schedule and personal circumstances, but I won’t.

I shouldn’t even have to write this. It should be obvious, but as the well-used saying goes: “Common sense is not that common.” I was driving home the other day and I was in a hurry, really desperate to get home actually. I heard the sirens of a fire engine before I saw it so we were already easing our way into the left hand lane when the vehicle’s lights became visible behind me.